Optical encoder and method for using same

ABSTRACT

An optical encoder, a system and a method for outputting a signal are provided. The optical encoder and the system have a shaft extending from an interior of a housing. A circuit board having a light emitting element and a light detector is connected to the housing. The light emitting element emits an amount of light within the interior of the housing. A light pipe transmits, deflects and/or directs the amount of light from the light emitting element toward the light detector. A rotor which is connected to the shaft rotates to change the amount of light received by the light detector. The shaft is connected to a sprocket which contacts a spring to produce a sound or vibration which indicates the shaft is rotating, twisting and/or turning. The circuit board outputs a signal via a cable based on the amount of light received by the light detector. The signal corresponds to a position and/or a location of the shaft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an encoder, a system and amethod for outputting a signal. More specifically, the present inventionrelates to an encoder and a system which detects light emitting from alight emitting element with a light detector to output a signal.

The encoder and the system may have a housing. A light emitting element,a light detector and/or a rotor may be within the housing. The lightdetector may detect light from the light emitting element. A light pipemay transmit and/or may deflect light from the light emitting element inthe housing.

The rotor may cooperate with the shaft. Rotation of the shaft may rotatethe rotor to block, to deflect and/or to absorb light from the lightemitting element. The light detector may detect movement and/or aposition of the shaft. The shaft may rotate to move a sprocket which maycontact a spring. A cable and/or terminal pins may output a signal basedon the direction, the amount and/or the intensity of light. The signalmay correspond to the position of the shaft. The shaft may contact apushbutton which may contact a circuit board to output the signal viathe cable and/or the terminal pins.

It is generally known to incorporate and/or to connect a switch to adevice, such as, for example, a computer, a radio, a global positioningsystem, a television, a game system and/or the like. The switch outputsa signal to control the device. For example, the switch may output asignal to change a radio station and/or to control power supplied to thedevice. In another example, a user may output a signal to control adisplay for a global positioning system. A user may control the switchby turning and/or depressing a shaft within the switch. Movement of theshaft outputs the signal to a processing unit. The signal corresponds toa position of the shaft. The processing unit receives the signal tocontrol the device.

More specifically, the switch contacts a circuit by, for example, an armattached to the shaft. As the switch turns, the arm of the shaft engagesone of an array of points within the circuit which are arranged aroundthe shaft. The circuit is closed in a loop by contact with the arm ofthe shaft. As a result, the switch outputs a signal which corresponds toa location of the shaft. However, repeated contact between the arm ofthe shaft and the points of the circuit result in the switch failing tooutput the signal. For example, points within the circuit may chipand/or may separate from the circuit to prevent the switch fromoutputting the signal. In addition, the shaft of the switch mayeventually rotate without the arm contacting the circuit and/or withoutthe contact of the circuit closing the loop of the circuit. Accordingly,the operational life of the switch is limited.

It is also generally known for a user to use a magnetic switch to outputa signal. The magnetic switch uses a Hall effect sensor to output asignal rather than a mechanical arm to output a signal. The magneticswitch has a magnet positioned on the shaft at a location within theswitch. The user rotates the shaft to output a signal to, for example,turn a radio to an “on” position. Rotation of the shaft moves the magnetto produce changes in magnetic field density. The Hall effect-sensordetects changes in magnetic field density to output the signalcorresponding to a position of the shaft.

However, movement of the shaft is limited by the locations of the Halleffect sensor. Specifically, the switch will only determine positions ofthe shaft where a Hall effect sensor is located. Providing multiplesensors at multiple locations within the switch is costly. In addition,multiple sensors results in a higher likelihood that the switch willfail to output the signal or output an inaccurate signal.

Further, a magnetically operated switch produces no sound, such as, aclicking noise. Still further, the magnetic switch does not providetactile feedback to a user. As a result, a user cannot determine whethera shaft of the switch is moving and how far the shaft of the switch hasmoved from a previous position.

A need, therefore, exists for an encoder, a system and a method foroutputting a signal. Additionally, a need exists for an encoder, asystem and a method for outputting a signal which optically detectspositions of a shaft. Further, a need exists for an encoder, a systemand a method for outputting a signal having a shaft connected to asprocket which contacts a spring to provide audible and tactile feedbackto a user. Still further, a need exists for an encoder, a system and amethod for outputting a signal having a shaft rotatable to multiplepositions which may be detected by a light detector.

Moreover, a need exists for an encoder, a system and a method foroutputting a signal having a shaft wherein depressing and/or pushing theshaft depresses a push button to provide tactile feedback to a user.Furthermore, a need exists for an encoder, a system and a method foroutputting a signal having a shaft wherein rotating the shaft produces asound to indicate that the shaft is rotating. In addition, a need existsfor an encoder, a system and a method for outputting a signal having asingle circuit board for detecting light and transmitting light withinthe encoder. Further, a need exists for an encoder, a system and amethod for outputting a signal which provides a nearly infinite life ofcomponents of the encoder and/or the system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an encoder, a system and a method foroutputting a signal. More specifically, the encoder and the system mayoptically detect movement of a shaft to output a signal which maycorrespond to a position and/or a location of the shaft. A circuit boardmay be positioned and/or may be located in the housing. The circuitboard may have a light emitting element and/or a light detector. A lightpipe may direct and/or may transmit the light in the housing. A rotormay absorb, may reflect and/or may direct light from the light pipe tothe light detector. The housing may have terminal pins and/or a cable tooutput a signal from the light detector. The signal may be based on anamount, a direction and/or an intensity of the light. The signal maycorrespond to a location and/or a position of the shaft.

To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, an opticalencoder is provided. The optical encoder has a housing having aninterior wherein the interior is defined between a top end and a bottomend. Further, the optical encoder has a shaft extending outward withrespect to the housing to a point exterior to the housing. Stillfurther, the optical encoder a light emitting element connected to thehousing wherein the light emitting element transmits an amount of light.Moreover, the optical encoder has a light detector connected to thehousing wherein the light detector detects the amount of light.Furthermore, the optical encoder has a light pipe positioned between thelight detector and the light emitting element wherein the light pipedeflects light from the light emitting element to the light detector.

In an embodiment, the optical encoder has a rotor connected to the shaftwherein movement of the rotor changes the amount of light detected bythe light detector.

In an embodiment, the optical encoder has a circuit board connected tothe housing wherein the light emitting element and the light detectorare connected to the circuit board.

In an embodiment, the optical encoder has a cable connected to the lightdetector wherein the cable transmits a signal based on the amount oflight detected by the light detector.

In an embodiment, the optical encoder has a button within the housingwherein depressing the shaft contacts the button.

In an embodiment, the optical encoder has a sprocket connected to theshaft wherein movement of the shaft moves the sprocket.

In another embodiment a system for encoding an amount of light isprovided. The system has a housing having a height defined between a topsurface and a bottom surface. Further, the system has a circuit boardconnected to the housing wherein the circuit board transmits anelectrical signal. Still further, the system has a means for emittinglight wherein the means for emitting light transmits the amount of lightto the housing. Moreover, the system has a means for detecting lightconnected to the circuit board. Furthermore, the system has a deflectingmeans positioned between the means for emitting light and the means fordetecting light wherein the deflecting means deflects the light from themeans for emitting light towards the means for detecting light.

In an embodiment, the system has means for changing the amount of lightreceived by the means for detecting light.

In an embodiment, the system has means for absorbing the amount of lighttransmitted by the means for emitting light.

In an embodiment, the system has means for transmitting the signal fromthe housing.

In an embodiment, the system has means for contacting the circuit boardto output the electrical signal.

In an embodiment, the system has means for producing a noise wherein thenoise sounds to indicate a change in the amount of light received by themeans for detecting light.

In an embodiment, the system has means for producing a vibration whereinthe vibration indicates a change in the amount of light received by themeans for detecting light.

In another embodiment a method for outputting a signal is provided. Themethod has the step of providing a housing having a width definedbetween a distal end and a proximate end. Further, the method has thestep of emitting an amount of light to the housing. Still further, themethod has the step of deflecting the amount light from the proximateend to the distal end. Moreover, the method has the step of detectingthe amount of light at the distal end. Furthermore, the method has thestep of transmitting the signal wherein the signal is an electricalsignal and further wherein the signal is based on the amount of lightdetected at the distal end.

In an embodiment, the method has the step of connecting a shaft to thehousing wherein movement of the shaft changes the amount of lighttransmitted to the distal end.

In an embodiment, the method has the step of positioning a rotor betweenthe distal end and the proximate end of the housing wherein the rotorchanges the amount of light transmitted to the distal end.

In an embodiment, the method has the step of contacting a button tooutput the signal.

In an embodiment, the method has the step of connecting a spring to thehousing wherein the spring produces a sound.

In an embodiment, the signal corresponds to a position of the shaft.

In an embodiment, the method has the step of connecting a sprocket tothe housing wherein movement of the sprocket produces a sound.

It is, therefore, an advantage of the present invention to provide anencoder and a system and a method for outputting a signal whichoptically detects a position, a location and/or movement of a shaft.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide an encoder anda system and a method for outputting a signal wherein rotation of theshaft moves a rotor to change a direction, an intensity and/or an amountof light received by a light detector.

And, another advantage of the present invention is to provide an encoderand a system and a method for outputting a signal having a lightdetector for optically detecting movement and/or a position of a shaft.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide an encoderand a system and a method for outputting a signal having a singlecircuit board which may have a light emitting element and a lightdetector.

A further advantage of the present invention is to provide an encoderand a system and a method for outputting a signal wherein rotation of ashaft contacts a spring to provide tactile feedback to a user.

Moreover, another advantage of the present invention is to provide anencoder and a system and a method for outputting a signal whereinrotation of a shaft produces a sound to indicate that the shaft isrotating.

And, another advantage of the present invention is to provide an encoderand a system and a method for outputting a signal having a spring whichmay be adjusted to provide different audio feedbacks and/or differenttactile feedbacks.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide an encoder anda system and a method for outputting a signal wherein a shaft may bepressed to contact a pushbutton to output the signal.

A still further advantage of the present invention is to provide anencoder and a system and a method for outputting a signal having a lightpipe which deflects and/or directs light from a first location to asecond location.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention aredescribed in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of thepresently preferred embodiments and from the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side plan view of a shaft within a housing in anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a housing and a shaft in anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the shaft, a housingand a rotor in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a black box diagram of a system using an encoder tooptically detect movement of a shaft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to an encoder and a system and a methodfor outputting a signal. The encoder and the system may have a housingwhich may have a top end and a bottom end. The shaft may extend from aninterior of the housing to an exterior of the housing. The shaft may beconnected to and/or may be in contact with a rotor and/or a sprocket.Movement of the shaft may rotate and/or may turn the sprocket to contacta spring to produce audible and/or tactile feedback to a user. A lightemitting element may transmit light within the housing. A light pipe maytransmit light from the bottom end of the housing to the top end of thehousing. Rotation of the shaft may turn and/or may rotate the rotor toblock, to absorb and/or to deflect light from a photodetector. The shaftmay be pressed, pushed and/or depressed to contact a push button tooutput an electrical signal via a cable and/or terminal pins. Thephotodetector may output an electrical signal based on an amount, anintensity and/or a location of light transmitted from the light emittingelement via the cable and/or the terminal pins.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts,FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate an encoder 3 having a housing 5. Thehousing 5 may have a height H defined between a top end 7 and a bottomend 9. Pins 15 a-15 d may connect, may secure and/or may attach a topsurface 11 to a bottom surface 13 of the housing 5. Between the topsurface 11 and the bottom surface 13 of the housing 5 may be an interior4 of the housing 5, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The pins 15 a-15 d mayextend from the top surface 11 to the bottom surface 13.

A bushing 17 may connect to and/or may secure to the top surface 11 ofthe housing 5 via the pins 15 a-15 d. In an embodiment, the pins 15 a-15d may be integrally formed with the bushing 17. The bushing 17 maysupport and/or may guide a shaft 19 which may extend from the interior 4of the housing 5 through the top surface 11. The bushing 17 may have afirst portion 18 which may be, for example, a flat surface. The bushing17 may have a second portion 20 which may extend from the first portion18. The second portion 20 of the bushing 17 may extend a distance D1from the first portion 18. The second portion 20 of the bushing 17 mayhave threads 21 which may be, for example, male threads. The secondportion 20 may secure to, may connect to and/or may attach to aprocessing unit 71, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

The shaft 19 may extend a distance D2 exterior to the housing 5. Thedistance D2 may be greater than the distance D1. The shaft 19 mayrotate, may turn and/or may twist with respect to the top surface 11 ofthe housing 5. The shaft 19 may be depressed and/or may be pushed towardthe bottom surface 13 of the housing 5. Movement of the shaft 19 may beconverted to a signal, for example, an electrical signal, within thehousing 5. A cable 25 and/or terminal pins 23 a, 23 b may output thesignal from the housing 5. The signal may correspond to a locationand/or a position of the shaft 19. The cable 25 and/or the terminal pins23 a-23 f may attach to and/or may connect to the bottom portion 13 ofthe housing 5. The present invention should not be deemed limited to aspecific device and/or method of outputting the signal from the housing5.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the encoder 3 in an embodiment ofthe present invention. The encoder 3 may have a housing 5 which may havea first section 6 and/or a second section 8. The first section 6 may besecured, connected and/or attached to the second section 8 via the pins15 a-15 d, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The shaft 19 may have a length L defined between a first end 31 and asecond end 33. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first end 31 may extend thedistance D2 outward from the top surface 11 of the housing 5. The secondend 33 of the shaft 19 may contact, may connect to and/or may secure toa sprocket 35 and a rotor 41. The second end 33 of the shaft 19 mayconnect to and/or may contact an actuator 39. The shaft 19 may bedepressed and/or may be pushed to contact the actuator 39.

The actuator 39 may made from an insulating material, such as, forexample, rubber, plastic, felt, ceramic, porcelain and/or the like. Tothis end, the actuator 39 may absorb and/or may insulate the shaft 19from voltage and/or current, such as, for example, the electricalsignal. The shaft 19 may contact and/or may abut the actuator 39.Interaction between the shaft 19 and the actuator 39 may provide tactileand/or audible feedback to a user. The actuator 29 may be any materialas known to one having ordinary skill in the art to provide a desiredtactile and/or a desired audible feedback.

The shaft 19 may have a lip 35 extending outward with respect to theshaft 19. The sprocket 35 may secure to and/or may contact the lip 35.The lip 35 may prevent the sprocket 35 from moving outward with respectto the housing 5 toward the first end 31. In addition, the lip 35 mayprevent the shaft 19 from moving outward with respect to the bushing 17and/or the housing 19. The lip 35 may also prevent the shaft 19 frombeing removed from the housing 5 and/or the bushing 17.

The sprocket 35 may be attached to, may be secured to and/or may beconnected to the shaft 19. The sprocket 35 may be connected to and/or incontact with the first section 6 of the housing 5. The sprocket 35 maybe located and/or may be positioned in an opening 34, such as, forexample, a crevice, a valley, a cut-out and/or the like of the firstsection 6 of the housing 5. The sprocket 35 may be rotatable withrespect to the first section 6 of the housing 5. The shaft 19 may extendwithin the interior 4 of the housing 5 through the sprocket 35.

Rotation of the shaft 19 may turn and/or may rotate the sprocket 35 tocontact a spring 37. The sprocket 35 interacts and/or contacts thespring 37 to provide audible and/or tactile feedback to a user 69. Thesprocket 35 may have, for example, grooves 36 a, 36 b which may contactthe spring 37 to provide audible and tactile feedback. The sprocket 35and/or the spring 37 may be removeable. Changing a shape, a size and/ora dimension of the spring 37 and/or the sprocket 37 may adjust and/orchange the audible feedback and/or the tactile feedback. The sprocket 35may have, for example, grooves 36 a, 36 b which may contact the spring37 to provide the audible and/or the tactile feedback. The grooves 36 a,36 b may be shaped, such as, for example, rounded, flat, pointed and/orthe like. The present invention should not be deemed limited to aspecific size, shape and/or configuration of the sprocket 35. Thesprocket 35 may be adjusted and/or modified to provide different tactilefeedback and different audio feedback as known to one having ordinaryskill in the art.

The spring 37 may be positioned and/or may be located in the firstsection 6 of the housing 5. The spring 37 may extend toward the sprocket35 within the housing 5. Rotation of the shaft 19 may rotate thesprocket 35 which may contact the spring 37. The sprocket 35 may move,may push and/or may depress the spring 37 outward with respect to thesprocket 35. The present invention should not be deemed limited to aspecific number, size, shape and/or configuration of the spring 37. Thespring 37 may be adjusted and/or modified to provide any tactilefeedback and any audio feedback known to one having ordinary skill inthe art. In addition, any number of springs may be added to providedifferent tactile feedback and/or different audio feedback known to onehaving ordinary skill in the art.

The shaft 19 may extend through the first section 6 of the housing 5. Arotor 41 and/or a light pipe 43 may be located and/or may be positionedbetween the first section 6 and/or the second section 8. The light pipe43 may connect to and/or may secure to the first section 6 of thehousing 5. The light pipe 43 may be integrally formed with the firstsection 6 and/or the second section 8 of the housing 5. The light pipe43 may transmit and/or may deflect light from a light emitting element53. The light pipe 43 may deflect and/or may transmit light from thesecond section 8 to the first section 6 of the housing 5. The light pipe43 may be a conduit, such as, for example, a tube, a rod and/or thelike. The light pipe 43 may be positioned and/or may be located totransmit and/or to deflect light from the bottom end 9 to the top end 7of the housing 5. The light pipe 43 may transmit light from the lightemitting element 53 toward the rotor 41 and/or a light detector 45.

The shaft 19 may extend through the rotor 41. The bottom end 9 of theshaft 19 may terminate at the rotor 41. The shaft 19 may connect to, maysecure to and/or may contact the rotor 41. The rotor 41 may be locatedand/or may be positioned on and/or between the first section 6 and/orthe second section 8. The rotor 41 may rotate and/or may turn withrespect to the housing 5. Rotation of the shaft 19 may rotate and/or mayturn the rotor 41 to block, to deflect and/or to absorb lighttransmitted from the light pipe 43 and/or the light detector 45. Therotor 41 may rotate and/or may turn to change an amount, a direction, anintensity and/or a location of light transmitted to the light detector45.

The actuator 39 may extend through the second section 8 of the housing5. Depressing and/or pushing the shaft 19 may contact and/or mayactivate and/or may engage the actuator 39 to output an electricalsignal. The actuator 39 may be depressed and/or pushed to contact and/orto connect to a circuit board 49. The actuator 39 may contact and/orconnect to the circuit board 49 via a button 51.

Depressing the button 51 may depress the actuator 39 to contact thecircuit board 49. The button 51 may be, for example, a conductivematerial, such as, for example, copper, nickel, gold, silver, aluminum,graphite, iron, brass and/or the like. The button 51 may contact thecircuit board 49 to complete and/or to form a circuit (not shown) tooutput the electrical signal which may correspond to a location and/or aposition of the shaft 19. Alternatively, the button 51 may be made from,for example, an insulated material, such as, for example, plastic,rubber, felt, ceramic, porcelain and/or the like. The button 51 maycontact the circuit board 49 to add resistance to and/or to interruptthe circuit (not shown). The button 51 may contact the circuit board 49to provide audible feedback and/or tactile feedback. The button 51 maybe adjusted and/or modified to provide different tactile feedback anddifferent audio feedback known to one having ordinary skill in the art.For example, the button 51 may be made from a different material toprovide different tactile feedback and/or different audio feedback knownto one having ordinary skill in the art.

The circuit board 49 may be located and/or may be positioned at thebottom end 9 of the housing 5. The circuit board 49 may contain and/ormay secure the light emitting element 53 and/or the light detector 45.The light emitting element 53 may be, for example, a light emittingdiode which may transmit visible light, infrared light and/or the like.The light emitting element 53 may transmit an amount of light within thehousing 5. The light pipe 43 may transmit and/or may deflect the amountof light from the bottom end 9 of the housing 5 to the top end 7 of thehousing 5.

The light detector 45 may detect an amount, an intensity, a directionand/or a location of light transmitted from the light emitting element53 and/or the light pipe 43. The light detector 45 may output a signal,such as, for example, an electrical signal. The signal may correspond toa location and/or a position of the shaft 19. The signal may be outputfrom the housing 5 via a cable 59. Terminal pins 23 a, 23 b, such as,for example, electrical contacts and/or the like may output the signalfrom the housing 5, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The present inventionshould not be deemed limited to a specific device and/or method ofoutputting the signal from the housing 5.

The pins 15 a-15 d may extend from the top end 7 of the housing 5through the first section 6, the second section 8, the circuit board 49and/or a plate 57. The pins 15 a-15 d may be integrally formed with thebushing 17. The pins 15 a-15 d may be larger in size at the bushing 17to secure the bushing 17 to the housing 5. In addition, the pins 15 a-15d may secure the plate 57 to the housing 5.

The plate 57 may prevent the circuit board 49 from moving, bending,flexing and/or the like. The plate 57 may apply a force to the actuator39 and/or the button 51. The force may move and/or may push the actuator39 and/or the button 51 away from the circuit board 49. For example, theshaft 19 may depress the actuator 39 and/or the button 51 to contact thecircuit board 49. The plate 57 may force the actuator 39 and/or thebutton 51 away from the circuit board 49 to an initial position relativeto the circuit board 49.

In use, the shaft 19 may rotate and/or may turn to move the rotor 41 tochange an amount and/or a direction of light transmitted to the lightdetector 45. The light emitting element 53 may transmit light within thehousing 5. The light pipe 43 may deflect and/or may transmit light fromthe light emitting element 53 from, for example, the circuit board 49 tothe top end 7 of the housing 5. The light detector 45 may detect theamount and/or the direction of light to output a first signal via thecable 59. Depressing and/or pushing the shaft 19 toward the bottom end 9of the housing 5 may depress the actuator 39 to contact the circuitboard 49 and output a second signal via the cable 59. The first signal,for example, may be greater than the second signal. Each signal,respectively, may correspond to a location and/or a position of theshaft 19.

FIG. 4 illustrates a black box diagram of a system 70 using an encoderto detect movement of a shaft in an embodiment of the present invention.The encoder 3 may be connected to and/or in communication with aprocessing unit 71 which may be connected to and/or in communicationwith a database 73. The processing unit 71 may be connected to and/or incommunication with a user interface 75. The user interface 75 maydisplay, for example, a map, a radio station, a menu, a selection screenand/or the like. For example, the user interface 75 may display a mapillustrating roads, restaurants, businesses and/or the like. In anotherembodiment, the user interface 75 may display a list of, for example,radio stations. A user 69 may rotate the shaft 19 to move, for example,a cursor and/or an arrow to a desired radio station. Rotation of theshaft 19 may output a first electrical signal to the processing unit 71.The first electrical signal may correspond to a location and/or aposition of the shaft 19. The user 69 may push and/or may depress theshaft 19 to select the desired radio station. Pushing and/or depressingthe shaft 19 may output a second electrical signal to the secondelectrical signal to a location and/or to a position of the shaft 19.The present invention should not be deemed limited to the specific userinterface. The processing unit 71 may be applied to differenttechnologies known to one having ordinary skill in the art.

The housing 5 may have, for example, the first section 6 and the secondsection 8 which may be attached to and/or secured via the pins 15 a-15 dto define the interior 4 of the housing 5. The light emitting element 53may transmit light within the housing 5. The shaft 19 may extend throughthe housing 5. The user 69 may move and/or may rotate the shaft 19 tomove and/or to rotate the rotor 41 which may block, absorb and/ordeflect light from the light emitting element 53. The housing 5 mayoutput an electrical signal based on an amount, a direction and/or alocation of light received and/or sensed by the light detector 45. Theelectrical signal may be transmitted to the processing unit 71 tocommunicate with the user interface 75 and/or the database 73.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention andwithout diminishing its attendant advantages. It is, therefore, intendedthat such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

1. An optical encoder comprising: a housing having an interior whereinthe interior is defined between a top end and a bottom end; a shaftextending outward with respect to the housing to a point exterior to thehousing; a circuit board connected to the housing; a light emittingelement connected to the circuit board wherein the light emittingelement transmits an amount of light; a light detector connected to thecircuit board wherein the light detector detects the amount of light;and a light pipe positioned between the light detector and the lightemitting element wherein the light pipe deflects light from the lightemitting element to the light detector wherein the light pipe has afirst end, a middle portion and a second end wherein the first end ofthe light pipe and the second end of the light pipe are located furtherfrom the top end of the housing than the middle portion of the lightpipe a sprocket connected to the shaft wherein the sprocket produces asound via rotation of the shaft.
 2. The optical encoder of claim 1further comprising: a rotor connected to the shaft wherein movement ofthe rotor changes the amount of light detected by the light detector. 3.The optical encoder of claim 1 further comprising: a cable connected tothe light detector wherein the cable transmits a signal based on theamount of light detected by the light detector.
 4. The optical encoderof claim 1 further comprising: a button within the housing whereindepressing the shaft contacts the button.
 5. The optical encoder ofclaim 1 further comprising: a sprocket connected to the shaft whereinmovement of the shaft moves the sprocket.
 6. A system for encoding anamount of light, the system comprising: a housing having a heightdefined between a top surface and a bottom surface; a circuit boardconnected to the housing wherein the circuit board transmits anelectrical signal; means for emitting light wherein the means foremitting light transmits the amount of light to the housing wherein themeans for emitting light is connected to the circuit board; means fordetecting light connected to the circuit board; and deflecting meanspositioned between the means for emitting light and the means fordetecting light wherein the deflecting means deflects the light from themeans for emitting light towards the means for detecting light whereinthe deflection means has a first end, a middle portion and a second endwherein the first end of the deflection means and the second end of thedeflection means are located further from the top surface of the housingthan the middle portion of the deflection means; and a sprocketconnected to the shaft wherein the sprocket produces a sound viarotation of the shaft.
 7. The system of claim 6 further comprising:means for changing the amount of light received by the means fordetecting light.
 8. The system of claim 6 further comprising: means forabsorbing the amount of light transmitted by the means for emittinglight.
 9. The system of claim 6 further comprising: means fortransmitting the signal from the housing.
 10. The system of claim 6further comprising: means for contacting the circuit board to output theelectrical signal.
 11. The system of claim 6 further comprising: meansfor producing a noise wherein the noise sounds to indicate a change inthe amount of light received by the means for detecting light.
 12. Thesystem of claim 6 further comprising: means for producing a vibrationwherein the vibration indicates a change in the amount of light receivedby the means for detecting light.
 13. A method for outputting a signal,the method comprising the steps of: providing a housing having a widthdefined between a distal end and a proximate end; emitting an amount oflight in the housing from a circuit board connected to the housingwherein the light is emitted in a direction outward relative to thecircuit board; deflecting the amount of light away from the mountingsurface of the circuit board, substantially parallel with the mountingsurface, and towards the mounting surface; detecting the amount of lightwherein the light is detected by a light receiving means which isattached to the circuit board; and transmitting the signal wherein thesignal is an electrical signal and further wherein the signal is basedon the amount of light detected at the distal end; and connecting asprocket to the housing wherein movement of the sproket produces asound.
 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of:connecting a shaft to the housing wherein movement of the shaft changesthe amount of light transmitted to the distal end.
 15. The method ofclaim 13 further comprising the step of: positioning a rotor between thedistal end and the proximate end of the housing wherein the rotorchanges the amount of light transmitted to the distal end.
 16. Themethod of claim 13 further comprising the step of: contacting a buttonto output the signal.
 17. The method of claim 13 further comprising thestep of: connecting a spring to the housing wherein the spring producesthe sound.
 18. The method of claim 13 wherein the signal corresponds toa position of the shaft.